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OCTOBER 19TH: Otani is set to decide between playing in MLB and staying in Japan on Monday, according to a report from Sanspo (Japanese link) passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker (via Twitter).

OCTOBER 11TH: High school pitcher Shohei Otani, 18, is being courted by every NPB team and at least three Major League teams, reports WEEI.com's Alex Speier. The Red Sox, Dodgers and Rangers have all sent representatives to Japan to meet with Otani, and Gerry Fraley of the Dallas Morning News notes that the Orioles also have interest in the right-hander.

Shohei Otani currently sits 6’4″ and roughly 190 pounds. He is a tall, long limb frame that could add another inch or two. Nice lower half development, good development through the hips, wiry in upper torso. He throws 93-97 mph and can reach back to 99 mph. He flashes some good bite on his power curve/slider that sits in the mid 85-87 mph. He has the ability to pull on the string with good hand side fade on the change up 78-79 mph, shows some deception. Flashes a slow curve, 68-71 mph that gets a bit loopy at times, but promising offering that plays well off the power arsenal. Pitches backwards at times. Release is a bit inconsistent and point of emphasis for improvement, towards both command/control of entire arsenal. Very promising prospect that would be a surefire top pick in any draft.

Super raw and needing a lot of work (what 17/18 year old doesn't). What jumps out at me is 173 pitches he threw. That is an awfully lot of pitches for a young man with such gifts.

Oh to be that young and already have all that velocity. I can just imagine this young man's thoughts right now. Great money and actual care for prospects in America. But he would likely feel like an outsider here which is tough on a young guy.

This would be a big signing if the team could manage it. Also it go a very long way to build upon it's international efforts.

Jordan Tuwiner wrote:Correct me if I'm wrong. The most any team can offer him is their entire bonus pool? It's basically a matter of where he thinks he'll succeed?

I've read some stories that indicated he was an unrestricted free agent, but they didn't explain why. If he is subject to the rules and would be part of the July 2nd to July 1st timeline than we would have an advantage because we've spent very little of our 2.9M for this 365 day period.

I'd like to see the Orioles sign this guy. Obviously, his mechanics need an overhaul, but the sky's the limit as far as his potential. Very good height, just has to fill out his frame. I think he might be worth spending the whole $3 million cap on. Heck, why not? Problem is, I'm sure other MLB teams will be willing to offer him $3 million too. This is more about recruiting than anything else. I think our success with Koji and Wei-Yin might help us in that regard.

Japanese pitching prospect Shohei Otani announced that he will pursue a career in MLB rather than turn professional in Japan, according to the Associated Press. The Red Sox, Rangers, and Dodgers have all sent representatives to Japan to meet with Otani recently and the Orioles are also said to have interest in the right-hander.

"I think I will start in the minor leagues but I want to challenge in the majors. It's been my dream since entering high school," said the 18-year-old.

DashingDave314 wrote:I'd like to see the Orioles sign this guy. Obviously, his mechanics need an overhaul, but the sky's the limit as far as his potential. Very good height, just has to fill out his frame. I think he might be worth spending the whole $3 million cap on. Heck, why not? Problem is, I'm sure other MLB teams will be willing to offer him $3 million too. This is more about recruiting than anything else. I think our success with Koji and Wei-Yin might help us in that regard.

If we spend our entire $3 million cap, how will this affect our draft going forward????

This was posted today on Fox Sports. Unfortunately, it doesn't clarify whether he's a free agent that can sign with any team for any amount, an International Free Agent that is limited to the 2.9M bonus cap, or must enter the Rule 4 Draft in June.

Japanese high school pitcher Shohei Otani says he will pursue a career in Major League Baseball instead of turning professional in Japan.

Otani, a 6-foot-4 right-hander who has thrown a fastball between 99 and 100 mph, has been scouted by several major league teams including the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.

The 18-year-old Otani said ''I think I will start in the minor leagues but I want to challenge in the majors. It's been my dream since entering high school."

Otani was expected to go in the first round of Thursday's amateur draft in Japan.

If he signs with a major league team, Otani would become the first potential top draft pick to make the direct jump from a Japanese high school to the U.S.